Downtown Spartanburg is looking different these days. The growing city — just 30 miles from Greenville — is undergoing a major revamp and historic renaissance thanks to nearly a half a billion dollars in public and private investments. In the last decade, every downtown block has seen at least one major renovation, adaptive reuse, or new construction project.

The combination of Spartanburg’s more affordable rents, shorter commutes, and growing array of amenities continues to draw the attention of developers and folks near and far.

And with all of this growth, the pace is only picking up. Several of the largest projects in the city's history are either underway or set to break ground within the next six to 12 months.

Here’s what’s new + what to look forward to:

This rendering of E. Main St. gives a glimpse of downtown Spartanburg’s future, which includes expanded outdoor dining + pedestrianization. | Rendering provided by The M Peters Group

Growing arts + food scene

Spartanburg is sprouting a unique culinary + arts scene that’s similar to those found in larger cities. Designated as a cultural district by the South Carolina Arts Commission, the city has vibrant art studios, galleries + music venues to explore. In between culture stops, check out their growing number of new coffee shops, breweries, and high-end dining (or try their tried + true Southern staples).

More places to play, work + live

The city is expanding to facilitate changes that include mixed-use developments for residential, restaurant, retail + office spaces. Companies like Agape and MP Cloud Tech are choosing Spartanburg as a place to expand, meaning more job opportunities. Additionally, the development plan of E. Main St. by the Greenville-based M Peters Group is making headlines for the transformation it will bring to Sparkle City.

Downtown Spartanburg is a fun place to visit, live + work. | Photo provided by Visit Spartanburg

Reinventing local infrastructure

The city is supporting growth by investing millions in new parking facilities, sidewalks, trails, and other infrastructure like:

Mary Black Rail Trail expansion into Downtown
Main Street-Morgan Square Pedestrianization
A new Joint Municipal Complex for the county and the city

TLDR: Hub City is growing into a lively city for visiting and living; working and playing. (See the transformation for yourself by planning a visit.)

Poll: Which area of progress in Spartanburg are you most excited about? Let us know.*